1998 Ford E-150 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other E-150 years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Ford E-150. That ranks 4th out of 24 E-150 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (15 complaints, 25%), typically at around 96,550 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 60owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Ford E-150 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 15 | 25% | 96,550 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 15% | 83,959 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 13% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 8% | 114,121 | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 7% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 5% | 200,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 5% | 87,714 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 3% | 115,375 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 3% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 3% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 2% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Ford E-150 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Vehicle speed control:cruise control
Problem: Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Risk: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
Fix: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began april 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford e-150. While the contact was filling up the fuel tank with fuel, the fuel leaked out. The service engine warning indicator illuminated, indicating a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the midship fuel tank…
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 ford e-150 equipped with a cci airtouch pneumatic gas/brake. The model was unknown. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle began to accelerate without cause or warning. The failure caused a crash with another vehicle, trees, and a street lamp. The contact…
Left front tire (michelin p235/75r15 ltx m/s2) separation at 25 mph. Also, noticeable stress cracks on the sidewall of the tire. Tires bought 01/2010; with 7/32 tread remaining. Reference 13t012000. *js
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford e-150. The contact stated that after refueling, fuel spewed out of the filler neck and onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The technician diagnosed that the fuel tank failed due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford e-150. The contact stated the fuel tank straps fractured. The contact stated that the fuel tank and straps were the same as the ones utilized on the 1998-2003 ford f-150, in which was recalled for the same failure. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The…
Other Ford E-150 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 E-150 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 E-150 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 E-150 | 8 | 1 |
| 2015 E-150 | 8 | 1 |
| 2014 E-150 | 6 | 6 |
| 2013 E-150 | 19 | 6 |
| 2012 E-150 | 12 | 8 |
| 2011 E-150 | 23 | 11 |
| 2010 E-150 | 10 | 7 |
| 2009 E-150 | 7 | 12 |
| 2008 E-150 | 11 | 17 |
| 2007 E-150 | 12 | 18 |
| 2006 E-150 | 17 | 14 |
| 2005 E-150 | 16 | 2 |
| 2004 E-150 | 33 | 5 |
| 2003 E-150 | 21 | 5 |
| 2002 E-150 | 28 | 3 |
| 2001 E-150 | 37 | 4 |
| 2000 E-150 | 50 | 6 |
| 1999 E-150 | 83 | 6 |
| 1998 | 60 | 5 |
| 1997 E-150 | 102 | 6 |
| 1996 E-150 | 59 | 3 |
| 1995 E-150 | 71 | 3 |
See all Ford E-150 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford E-150?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 15 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford E-150?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Ford E-150 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-150 model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.